Improvement in copy-holders



ALPHEus B. MANARD-.

Improvement in Copy Holdersi {121,291.

Patented No'v. 28

AM. fwo milf/106mm ca, N. Y [ossa/mtb F/focsm/ UNITED STATES PAT z;Tron.

IMPROVEMENT IN COPY-HOLDERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 121,291, dated November28, 1871.

following is a specification:

The object of this invention is to supply a cheap, efficient, anddurable contrivance for the holding` of written or printed manuscriptthat is to be copied, and while the manuscript copy is so held a movablepointer or index-rule is madeA to slide down as the matter on themanuscript is read or copied 5 and it consists in the construction ofsuch contrivance and the arrangement of its parts that make theimplement.

In the drawing, Fig. l is a plan view of the device, and Fig. 2 is atransverse view ofthe same.

A represents the table or platen upon which the manuscript is placed. Bis a spring-and-lever supporter, and is made fast upon the table A. C isa bar that goes lengthwise ofthe table, has grooves c c in the oppositesides and near its top surface, and near each of its ends is securelyattached one end of a spring, b, while at the middle of its length, orat any convenient point of its length, is a bent hinged lever, a',connected to its side, so that the barC can be by this lever raised upfrom the table A, when desired. D is a sliding pointer or index-ruleextending at right angles to the bar C and across the table A. 'lhisrule is made from sheet metal, with a head, D', bent in such way as toembrace the top of the bar G, the neck c bearing against the side of thebar, While there are anges c c turning inwardly and toward each other,entering into and sliding in grooves c c on the sides of said bar C, andwhenever desired they can be held fast at any point on the bar C byholding-screw d. a is a plate made fast at its outer end to the supportB, and is a half-hinge at its inner end. a is a bent lever hinged at itsangle to the inner end of plate a, and then extends to and is connectedwith the bar C at any convenient point of its length and in any suitablemanner. b b are springs made fast at one of their ends to support B,while the other end is fast to the bar C.

rlhe construction shows what are called rattrap springs, and suchsprings for this use are preferable, as they are wound around thesupport B in such manner that they will at all times act to force thebar C and rule D down upon the table A and irmly hold what may be placedbetween the rule and the table.

When thus constructed the device is ready ior use, and is operated inthe following manner: Place the thumb of the left hand upon the extremeend of the lever at a, and by gently pressing down it will cause the barC and rule D to rise, when, with the right hand, the manuscript can beplaced upon the table in the proper position, the rule adjusted wheredesired, when the the thumb is released from bent lever a', and themanuscript is firmly held in place; and if it is to be copied thepointer-rule is adj usted by the copyist as may -be most desirable tohim, but is generally moved downward as each line is copied; or thethumb may again be placed upon lever a', and, raising the rule clearfrom the manuscript, the manuscript itself may then be adjusted to therule and answer the same purpose as moving the rule.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, 1s-

The combination of the hinged bent lever a', hinged plate a, support B,and springs b with the bar C and pointer-rule D, constructed andarranged in the manner described.

ALPHEUS B. MANARD.

Witnesses:

HosMER P. HOLLAND, J AMES FERGUSON. (146)

